CDE Capacitors — Cornell Dubilier Stock & Cross-Reference Replacements

The History of Cornell Dubilier Electronics

Founded in 1909 by William Dubilier in New York City, Cornell Dubilier is one of the oldest capacitor manufacturers in the United States. The company was originally established as the Dubilier Condenser Corporation, and later merged with the Cornell Electric Manufacturing Company to form Cornell-Dubilier Electric Corporation. For over a century, CDE has been a cornerstone of the American passive components industry.

Cornell Dubilier built its reputation on high-reliability aluminum electrolytic capacitors, particularly computer-grade screw-terminal types used in power supplies, UPS systems, and industrial motor drives. The company also became a leading manufacturer of AC motor run capacitors for HVAC systems, mica capacitors for RF and military applications, and film capacitors for power electronics.

In 2017, KEMET Corporation (now part of Yageo) acquired Cornell Dubilier Electronics. While some CDE product lines continue under KEMET branding, many legacy series have been discontinued — making original CDE parts increasingly difficult to source for maintenance and repair applications.

Popular CDE Capacitor Series

How to Cross-Reference CDE Part Numbers

Cornell Dubilier uses a systematic part numbering convention. For example, a part number like 520C123M040BC2A breaks down as follows:

• 520 — Series identifier (computer-grade electrolytic)
• C — Case style designator
• 123 — Capacitance code (12,000 uF)
• M — Capacitance tolerance
• 040 — Working voltage (40V)
• BC2A — Case size and terminal configuration

When the original CDE part is discontinued, our engineering team matches the critical parameters — capacitance, voltage rating, ESR, ripple current, case dimensions, and terminal style — to identify a compatible modern replacement. Use our cross-reference tool to start a search, or request a quote with your CDE part number for a manual cross-reference by our team.

Industries That Rely on CDE Capacitors

Cornell Dubilier capacitors are deeply embedded in critical infrastructure and industrial systems across multiple sectors:

• HVAC & refrigeration — CDE WPP and MPP motor run capacitors are standard components in commercial and residential air conditioning compressors, condenser fan motors, and heat pump systems.
• UPS & power conditioning — CDE Type 500/520 computer-grade electrolytics are widely used in uninterruptible power supplies for data centers, hospitals, and telecommunications facilities.
• Industrial motor drives — DCMC and DCMX DC filter capacitors are found in variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo amplifiers, and industrial automation equipment.
• Military & defense — CDE mica capacitors and MIL-SPEC electrolytic types are specified in radar systems, avionics, and military communication equipment.
• Power electronics — CDE film capacitors serve snubber, commutation, and power factor correction roles in renewable energy inverters, welding equipment, and electric vehicle chargers.

Why Source CDE Capacitors from Specap?

With over 40 years in the capacitor business, Specap has built relationships with legacy inventory holders, surplus dealers, and authorized distributors worldwide. When you need a CDE capacitor, we can:

• Search our existing inventory of original CDE parts
• Source through our global network of verified suppliers
• Cross-reference to a tested, compatible KEMET, Vishay, Nichicon, or United Chemi-Con replacement
• Verify authenticity and test electrical parameters before shipping

Every capacitor we ship is electrically tested and inspected — no counterfeits, no relabeled parts. Whether you need a single CDE motor run capacitor for an HVAC repair or bulk computer-grade electrolytics for a UPS refurbishment program, Specap delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions